Guatemala U17s win 3-1 over Haiti

PANAMA CITY, Panama -- Christopher Ortiz struck for a pair of first-half goals and set up an insurance tally in the second half to boost Guatemala to a 3-1 Group C win over Haiti and into the quarterfinals of the 2013 CONCACAF Championship on Tuesday night.

The loss eliminated the Haitians (0-0-2, 0 pts.) from the competition, while the Guatemalans (1-0-0, 3 pts.) will battle the United States (1-0-0, 3 pts.) for the group title on Thursday night. The U.S. defeated Haiti on Sunday, 3-0.

Haiti struck first on a brilliant individual effort by Jean Derival in the 12th minute at Estadio Rommel Fernandez. Derival found himself with the ball at midfield and motored down the right side, beating two defenders before firing a 12-yard bullet into the upper near post past goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen.

The Guatemalans equalized on a Ortiz's first goal in the 24th minute. Diego Meda penetrated into the right side of the penalty area before he sent a cross that was deflected off Haitian defender Carlens Arcus to Ortiz, who flicked it home at the left post past keeper Cleef Cadet for a 1-1 tie.

Ortiz scored a spectacular goal of his own in the 28th minute as he volleyed home a 40-yard pass from Kenndell Curup. Ortiz beat Arcus and chipped a 10-yard shot past Cadet for a 2-1 advantage.

Haitian coach Raphael Novaes was forced to use two substitutions before halftime as he replaced Alessandro Campoy with Therson Philippe in the 38th minute and an injured Derival with Derrick Etienne two minutes later.

The Guatemalans came out in the second half on the attack, playing as though they needed to the equalizer. Three minutes in, Luis Samayoa came close, firing a blazing low shot just wide right of the net.

The Haitians finally found their attack, although they had trouble penetrating into the area. So, they tried to equalize from distance. Jonel Desire tried a 20-yard attempt that Hagen easily caught in the 72nd minute. Only a minute later, Philippe ripped a 28-yard shot that barely went wide right of the net.

Ortiz turned playmaker in the 78th minute. With room on the left side, he crossed the ball to Mario Hernandez, who slotted the ball in from seven yards for a 3-1 lead.